Electric Buses
Attending a recent conference in Liverpool provided the opportunity to hear a presentation from a councillor from Warrington. She spoke about the upcoming introduction of 120 brand new, sparkling electric buses, along with a range of innovative bus infrastructure improvements. These developments aim to ensure that the new fleet can deliver a reliable, clean, and customer-friendly bus network to the residents of Warrington.
Warrington Bus Company
“So what?” One might ask. In fact, the politicians and the team at Warrington’s own Bus Company, led by the highly respected Ben Wakerley, are pioneering a major transformation in the UK’s public transport sector. They are the first company to introduce an entirely new fleet overnight. While other depots and companies have launched new electric fleets, they typically operate hybrid systems that include hydrogen buses and diesel-fueled vehicles. Ben and his team, however, have committed to full electrification, achieving a 100% environmentally friendly fleet. These buses are not only quieter but also emit no carbon emissions, marking a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
1.56 Billion Cars
The reality is that there is no longer an option to continue as before. Global warming is a fact of life, and year-on-year records are being broken with devastating consequences. The humble bus has a key part to play in combating global warming and its tragic aftereffects. Indeed, when considering that there are 1.56 billion cars on the road around the world, 16% of which are commercial, accounting for a staggering 40% of total road emissions, the pollution is completely out of proportion to the damage being caused not only to the environment and its infrastructure but also to the lungs and lives of young people being poisoned by toxic waste. In this context, there is a moral obligation not only as a nation but as a planet to encourage the rapid conversion to electric buses.
Revolution
A revolution in the UK bus community has been witnessed over the past 10 years, transforming electric buses from a future concept to a rapidly expanding reality. This growth includes initiatives by Warrington as well as First Bus, under the exceptional leadership of Andrew Jarvis and the team, who have electrified areas such as Caledonia, Leicester, and Norwich. Additionally, they have opened the UK’s first bus depot that allows members of the public to charge their own private vehicles. Looking ahead, many bus depots are expected to partner with various fleets, both private and public. Emergency services, as well as companies like FedEx and Amazon, could take advantage of quick charging facilities. These initiatives would significantly address the issue of range anxiety, where there is concern that vehicles, especially in rural areas with few charging points, might run out of power and get stranded. The reality is that the technology is continually improving, enabling more miles to be covered with advanced batteries.
ZEBRAS and ULEB’S
The government has been very supportive in actively promoting the electrification of the UK’s bus fleet. Initiatives like the Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme (ULEB) have been helpful in encouraging bus operators to embrace the concept of e-buses. This has been especially useful for small bus operators, as the cost of converting bus depots to electrified charging points is expensive and beyond the budget of many small and medium-sized operators. Additionally, the second round of ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) funding awards was announced in March this year, making £143 million available for the transition to zero-emission buses, with battery-powered electric projects being the majority bus of choice.
Holy Grail
The future looks bright for the UK’s bus industry, as the benefits of buses in the fight against climate change and the pursuit of zero emissions have finally been recognised. The entire team at uTrack is committed to achieving these goals, using ever-improving and innovative technology to support the bus industry in reaching these important objectives.
Origin
Making operational excellence the standard across the transport industry.
